Tag Archives: Dark Fantasy

Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Ink Exchange
Author: Melissa Marr
Series: Wicked Lovely #2
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Fae, Paranormal fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2008

Thoughts

This is probably one of the most dark (in a psychological way) stories that I’ve read in a long time. I mean, it is incredibly dark and twisted. And features the Dark Fae Court, so you kind of expect that. Yet, it is the darkness that the humans bring into the storyline that really had me feeling uncomfortable. It’s one thing for a fantasy creature who is created to be part of the “dark court” to be… well, dark. But, it’s another to realise that that darkest and most evil characters are those who are human and have no real excuse.

Leslie’s background and her journey throughout this story is seriously heart breaking. I mean, it was hard to read when I read this as a young adult and didn’t quite get how dark things could truly be for some people. Reading this as an adult? I can’t believe that this is a young adult book! Yet, Marr does a fantastic job of not only talking about rape and abuse. But there is also beautiful, powerful and potent symbolism about the recovery from, well, any kind of assault. Again, the darkness and the emotions in this are just… phenomenal. And unforgettable. And kind of painful to read about.

Although I kind of liked Irial, I also kind of hated him. In the end, Leslie goes from one bad situation of control to another. He might do it with the noblest intentions for his people. And he might even do his best to keep Leslie happy and assuage his guilt. But, ultimately it is a very toxic love and one that definitely isn’t one that I enjoyed reading about. This story also made me like Keenan a whole lot less as well. I mean, the fae aren’t in any way, shape or form painted as good and kind creatures. But these two monarchs are absolutely cruel in their actions. Cruel in a way that hurt my heart more than a little.

Irial might kind of be the leading man in this story, but he’s definitely not the one I want the happily ever after for. He is, as I said before, problematic. Not quite evil and not someone that you hate. In fact, I do want him to be happy. But it’s Leslie and Niall that I thought were a fantastic couple throughout this storyline. The couple that I’m hoping will end up together in the future as the rest of the Wicked Lovely stories unfold.

<- Wicked LovelyOld Habits ->

Image source: HarperCollins Australia

Last Guard by Nalini Singh

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Last Guard
Author: Nalini Singh
Series: Psy-Changeling Trinity #5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

The role of Anchors in the Psy-Net are briefly touched upon in Bonds of Justice, but then that was kind of it. It may be MUCH later in the series, it was nice to find out a whole lot more about this designation. Every time I pick up a new book by Singh set in this world, a whole new layer of discovery is opened to me. And I am loving every minute of it. The nuances of the Anchor designation was kind of unexpected, and most definitely fun. I found the description of their experiences on the mental plane to be oddly beautiful, probably one of the easiest moments in the series thus far for me to picture in my mind’s eye.

Aside from the expansion on the Anchors, I also loved how the Mercant clan is being expanded upon. Particularly because Canto is absolutely awesome. He is one of the few Psy to have a physical disability (actually one of the few in the whole series), but he is also whip-smart and driven. The background of how he was bought into the family fold and what he went through as a child was even better. Especially when you realise that the person who wreaks revenge on those who wronged him is not who you expected. So many more characters and layers to get to know there.

The Raos contrastingly were not a family that I necessarily loved getting to know – or loved to hate getting to know them. I mean, they have been a peripheral power player throughout the series. But getting to know the psychopaths? It was kind of scary, but also amazing. I kind of wondered if the Architect came from this stock earlier in this Psy-Changeling Trinity, but now that it’s clear she doesn’t… I’ll have to continue guessing and trying to figure out just who they are. I feel sure we’ve already heard mention of them or met them… Maybe it’s Tatiana? Though surely Kaleb would have an inkling of that… but I digress. Back to the awesomeness of Last Guard.

I love that for all of the drama and battles that Payal has to face, ultimately her loyalty and care is actually rewarded at the end of this story. She overcomes a heck of a lot throughout this story. But the fact that at the final hour of fear, her kindness and wonderful behaviour are what helps her to survive. That, and the fact that Canto and Payal are now this incredibly scary power couple, everything had a nice karmic ending. At  least for some of the characters, for others, well, it’s clear that the story is just beginning.

It was intriguing to see how the PsyNet is continuing to unravel and the many ways that their livelihoods are being threatened. This is definitely a very psy-heavy book and series at the moment, but man do I love it. And now I can’t wait to pull out Storm Echo and disappear down this happy little rabbit hole all over again.

<- Alpha NightStorm Echo ->

Image source: Amazon

Alpha Night by Nalini Singh

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Alpha Night
Author: Nalini Singh
Series: Psy-Changeling Trinity #4
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Year: 2020

Thoughts

For all of the different types of romance throughout the Psy-Changeling books, this is the first love / mated at first sight story. And I absolutely loved it. Ethan and Selenka are a wonderful couple. They’re just so damn cute and fantastic together. And I love how it’s a story of understanding that they’re meant for each other, but they also need to learn how to get to know one another.

Yet, like all of the books in this big, wonderful, epic series, this novel isn’t just about the romance. The death of a packmate and the threat of Blaise all make this a heart thumping, can’t put down kind of read. You kind of guess whereon of the threats to the wolf pack comes from. But you also need that confirmation, Singh can throw in some curveballs.

Another wonderful curve all thrown into Alpha Night is the unravelling of Ethan’s powers. You understand that he (most probably) won’t die, but that threat seriously messes with you. The moment you find out more about his power all of those hints that Singh has thrown in start to make total sense. I look forward to my reread and all of the hints and moments being even more obvious and findable.

The brutalities of changeling law, Arrow training and the particular brutalities of Ethan’s past all combine beautifully in this novel. I love how both changeling and arrow law dovetail nicely together. Which, obviously makes Ethan (like Sienna) the perfect mate for a wolf alpha. The fact that Memory and Alexei also have their own significant moments in this further connects this world happily.

The overarching villain of this series is most definitely the Architect. I love all of the hints and clues that are peppered throughout this novel. I spent a lot of time trying to put together some of these clues and figure out just who she (I’m of the belief that it’s a she) is…. must keep reading to see how this all unfolds!!!

<- Wolf RainLast Guard ->

Image source: Amazon

Mona Lisa Three by Sunny

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Mona Lisa Three
Author: Sunny
Series: Monere: Children of the Moon #1.5
In: Over the Moon (Angela Knight, MaryJanice Davidson, Virginia Kantra & Sunny)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Erotica, Paranormal romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2011

Thoughts

I’ve yet to read my first full-length Mona Lisa book, although it is sitting in my shelf ready to go. And this novella honestly reminded me of why I’ve had it in my shelf ready to go for so long. This is a bit smuttier than most of the romances that I read, but also so damn delicious.

I love that this takes place after Mona Lisa’s adventures in the first book. It did give me a lot for spoilers but considering this is probably a bit more emotionally and exotically intense than I’m used to, it’s not a bad thing. I love how Mona Lisa is constantly thankful for the two men that she’s in love with and wanting.

This novella takes place in a transitional phase on Mona Lisa’s life. One that highlights how drastically her life changes in such a short period of time. That it uses her very special healing gifts and highlights the complexities in her many relationships just makes me love it even more. In fact, I got so involved in the storyline that I read this beginning to end in one sitting. And managed to walk into a wall while doing it.

I really loved this novella and now look forward to, more than ever reading Mona Lisa Awakening. I should probably finish the books that I’m currently halfway through first though…

<- DriftwoodOver the Moon ->

Image source: Penguin Random House

Transition by Melissa Marr

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Faery Tales and Nightmares

Title: Transition
Author: Melissa Marr
In: Faery Tales & Nightmares (Melissa Marr) & Teeth (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Vampires
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: HarperCollins
Year: 2012

Thoughts

This was a wonderful short story, but not featuring the paranormal creatures I was expecting. Rather than being about the fae, this was a story of vampires. And it was brilliant. Nothing sexy and desirable about it, all blood and revenge. My kind of vampire tale.

This story had a very vampire noir feel to it. It was a totally different style to what I have been reading thus far from Marr, but I absolutely adored the dark and twisty nature of it. I’m not sure why, but as I read this, I was picturing the 20s flapper style clothing and hard-boiled detectives running around in the background. Even though neither thing was even touched upon in this story.

This whole story featured a ridiculously vicious cycle. Honestly, it started out as filled with the potential for a semi-decent relationship, but that quickly went away. Ending in a fairly dark and twisty conclusion which starts the vicious circle all over again.

<- Winter’s KissLove Struck ->

Image source: HarperCollins Publishers

Wicked Saints by Emily A. Duncan

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Wicked Saints
Author: Emily A. Duncan
Series: Something Dark and Holy #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Gothic, Magic, Young adult
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Year: 2019

Thoughts

I started trying to read this book last year at some point. And I remember liking it, but not really getting into it. Picking it up again… I’m REALLY not sure why I couldn’t get into it. I mean, this book is fantastic. I honestly couldn’t put it down. Again, not entirely sure what it was that made me put this aside last year. Because WOW.

To start off with, I loved the twist at the end of this. It was horrifying, and you thought that there might be something horrible. And then the horrible thing happens and you were just… gobsmacked. I mean, what a damn betrayal! And what a way to make me thirst for the next book in the series… like seriously, and desperately thirst for it. I just can’t even believe the power that this book holds over you, long after you turn that final page. Even now, when I’m finally getting to sit down and write a review of it… I’m still completely enthralled and gobsmacked.

I’ve read a lot of stories which are based on historical Europe, but not Slavic Europe. It did take me a little to get my head around the character names. And I am 100% certain that the way I say them in my head is completely incorrect. Which is fine, because no one else is inside my head. Partner that with the holy war that is going on… and although there was a slight sense of familiarity due to the European aspect to it, this felt like a whole new world. One that I seriously can’t wait to get back to… I mean, it is dark and twisted. And, for someone who is a little freaked out by anything with religious connotations, impossible to not want to dive straight back into.

Duncan’s world building is insane and intense. She is able to construct a world that you can’t turn away from. And although a lot is revealed in this novel, there is a lot more to the world and the conspiracies than is imparted in one novel. Which, again, is what makes me want to dive into Ruthless Gods so badly. I mean, the world building and the politics are phenomenal. And even with the betrayal that I didn’t see coming, there is a whole slew of other aspects to this storyline that need answers. Relationships that may become more and more complex…

<- More Emily A. DuncanRuthless Gods ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Iron Hunt by Marjorie M. Liu

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview
The Iron Hunt (Hunter Kiss, #1) by Marjorie M. Liu

Title: The Iron Hunt
Author: Marjorie M. Liu
Series: Hunter Kiss #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Demons, Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 22nd May – 19th June 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Ace Fantasy
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: For the first time in my life, I did not care.

Synopsis

Silver smoke winds around my torso, peeling away from my ribs and back, stealing the dark mist covering my hands and lower extremities…tattoos dissolving into demon flesh, coalescing into small dark bodies. My boys. The only friends I have in this world. Demons.

I am a demon hunter. I am a demon. I am Hunter Kiss.

By day, her tattoos are her armor. By night, they unwind from her body to take on forms of their own–demons of the flesh, turned into flesh. This is the only family demon hunter Maxine Kiss has ever known. It’s the only way to live, and the very way she’ll die. For one day her demons will abandon her for her daughter to assure their own survival–leaving Maxine helpless against her enemies.

But such is the way of Earth’s last protector–the only one standing between humanity and the demons breaking out from behind the prison veil. It is a life lacking in love, reveling in death, until one moment–and one man– changes everything…

Thoughts

I’ve been hanging to fully get into this series since I read the first Hunter Kiss novella. But, for whatever reasons I’ve been putting it off. But, now I’m definitely going to keep diving into this series. There’s the whole intrigue of the end of the world going on. And a question of heart. A question of loyalty. There’s just a whole lot of wow going on.

I like that Maxine is the first if the hunter women to actually stop and put down roots. They’re still unconventional. But they are roots, nonetheless. It creates a wonderful, sweet and nice world that she is able to rely on. And, since this whole series seems like its going to revolve around the idea that maxine is special and last… it just adds that extra layer of mystery.

I really loved the feeling of mystery and world building that Liu was able to create. I know from some of the other works I’ve read by her that she tends towards a darker style of story. I know that my heart strings are going to be plucked drastically throughout this series.

The boys that surround marine are also adorable. I’m sure that finding demons adorable is a bit odd… but nevertheless, I still find them wonderful. And im not sure if I’m excited for Darkness Calls for the continuation of the storyline… or getting to spend more time with Maxine’s “boys”

<- Hunter KissDarkness Calls ->

Image source: Goodreads

Where Nightmares Walk by Melissa Marr

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Faery Tales and Nightmares

Title: Where Nightmares Walk
Author: Melissa Marr
In: Faery Tales & Nightmares (Melissa Marr)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal fantasy
Dates read: 31st March 2021
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: HarperCollins
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: It doesn’t stop me as I try to heave myself higher.

Synopsis

We all have nightmares, but some of us need to run a little further than others…

Thoughts

This is a ridiculously short, short story. To the point that I wasn’t even sure whether to count it as a story read… but then I really enjoyed it and realised that I wanted to write about it. So I figured that that was fine. I mean, even the collection didn’t number the pages of this short story, but instead, had the roman numerals on all of the pages.

Having said all that, I absolutely adored this short story. It felt like a nightmare somehow. Just as reading nightmares should feel and sound. Or at least, that’s how I would explain it / how it felt to me. There was just a great surreal and abstract feel to this tale. One that perfectly sets up the writing by Melissa Marr that I’m sure is about to follow.

All in all, this short story was very haunting and beautiful. I loved the feeling that reading these few pages inspired in me and it made me want to pick up the Wicked Lovely books all over again and actually get to the end of the series for the first time!

<- Faery Tales & NightmaresWinter’s Kiss ->

Image source: HarperCollins Publishers

Thin Walls by Christopher Golden

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for death's excellent vacation book cover

Title: Thin Walls
Author: Christopher Golden
In: Death’s Excellent Vacation (Charlaine Harris & Toni L.P. Kelner)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Lust, Paranormal fantasy
Dates read: 15th November 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Gollancz
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: ‘I can sense those things,’ Diana said.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

Tim is on a farewell tour to remember his late wife. When he overhears people in the room next door to him, he realises how thin the walls truly are. And his wish to honour his wife is truly tested.

Thoughts

I figured that this short story would have something to do with succubus, or some paranormal element of that character. After all, it starts with a man alone in a hotel room, with a woody, listening to others have sex. And it’s in a collection of paranormal fantasy stories. It wasn’t exactly a big leap. But, it did end in a way that I wasn’t completely expecting. And I did appreciate quite a bit.

I really don’t love the idea of people ever being able to overhear me and my SO in a hotel room. It’s pretty ick. And I really don’t like the idea of overhearing somebody else. Luckily, at this point in life, it hasn’t actually happened to me. But this storyline… and what happens when Tim overhears certain things… yeah, it added an extra layer of ick to the whole storyline.

Aside from the many ick factors throughout this story, I did love that ultimately, the “vacation” is a farewell tour for a lost wife. It was incredibly sweet and cute. Something that I can imagine doing if I lost my SO… touring all of the places that were important to us and just… remembering.

<- The Perils of EffrijimThe Heart is Always Right ->

Image source: Amazon

Bamboozled by Kelley Armstrong

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for dead man's hand book cover

Title: Bamboozled
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Women of the Otherworld #0
In: Dead Man’s Hand (John Joseph Adams)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women
Dates read: 23rd October 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Titan Books
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: She raised her voice a little, knowing Nate’s ace hearing would pick it up.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

Lily has loved Nate for a long time, and they make a great team. Particularly when they’re in the Wild West.

Thoughts

I love reading a paranormal fantasy story and spending it trying to guess what “being” the lead characters are. In the case of this story, I spent my whole time trying to figure out what Nate and Lily’s paranormal species was. I didn’t get it. And now, knowing what I know… I feel like it should have been WAY obvious… but oh well.

The word “bamboozle” has got to be one of my favourites. There is just something… fun about it. So reading a story that features this word as the title was immediately going to draw me in (let alone the fact that it is by a well-loved author and series). But it was the activity of “bamboozling” people throughout this that really had me smiling. And I’m now just going to sit in my little book lair and keep saying the word. Because, seriously, who wouldn’t? It’s a pretty awesome word…

What was I saying?

Oh yeah. This is an awesome short story. You should read it.

Bamboozled.

<- Red DreamsSundown ->

Image source: Amazon